Major upgrades to the Illawarra train line is likely to see South Coast commuters have a more comfortable journey into Sydney. A tender document shows the state government plans to upgrade the Hurstville station and improve the train lines at Central, Erskineville and Hurstville to improve efficiency in and out of the city. The ‘More Trains, More Services Stage 2 Incentivised Delivery Partner’ will deliver infrastructure which will see service improvements on the heavy rail network in particular along the T4 Illawarra, T8 Airport and South Coast lines. The improvement are likely to benefits Illawarra commuters. The upgrades are an addition to the government’s plan to provide 512 new carriages and replace 240, 40-year-old trains. Read more: Two South Coast afternoon trains get double the carriages Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said there were lots of options to help “provide more services”. “That is part of the reason why the government has invested billions into the intercity fleet,” he said. “More services will be freed up for our region as we roll out the fleet. “We are working to secure more carriages.” The new fleet of intercity trains will come into service from late 2019 and will carry passengers to the South Coast. The government has promised they will be more comfortable, safe and accessible. Mr Ward said the government had already invested in the region by doubling the number of carriages from four to eight on the 3.34pm and 3.54pm service from Central. “There is a lot more that can be done,” he said. “I want to see travel times improved. The public and I as a train user want to be able to get into Sydney within 60 minutes. “There are some sensible, cost-effective solutions that we are working on to achieve faster travel time and a more reliable service.” In June, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the T4 Illawarra and airport lines would be the first to benefit from a $880 million program to introduce digital signalling. The T4 Illawarra line runs between Waterfall and the city and becomes the South Coast line at Helensburgh.

Illawarra train line upgrades to benefit Wollongong commuters

Improvements to the T4 Illawarra and South Coast line could have flow on benefits for Wollongong commuters. Picture: Dominic Lorrimer

Major upgrades to the Illawarra train line is likely to see South Coast commuters have a more comfortable journey into Sydney.

A tender document shows the state government plans to upgrade the Hurstville station and improve the train lines at Central, Erskineville and Hurstville to improve efficiency in and out of the city.

The ‘More Trains, More Services Stage 2 Incentivised Delivery Partner’ will deliver infrastructure which will see service improvements on the heavy rail network in particular along the T4 Illawarra, T8 Airport and South Coast lines.

The improvement are likely to benefits Illawarra commuters.

The upgrades are an addition to the government’s plan to provide 512 new carriages and replace 240, 40-year-old trains.